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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
unless otherwise credited
Rich
Little Returns to the Golden Nugget
On Monday evening, November 12, I went to the VIP event that celebrated
Rich Little’s opening at the Golden Nugget and his return to performing
in Las Vegas after a long absence. The evening’s festivities began with
a Red Carpet for celebrity arrivals in the lobby followed by a cocktail
reception at Grotto Italian Restaurant for all the invited guests prior
to his performance. Among the many guests who turned out were
entertainers, Charlie Callas, The Scintas, Stephen Sorrentino, Bill
LaCosta, Susan Anton and Lance Burton.
It’s easy to see why Rich Little is considered the
Dean of Impressionists and has stayed on top for so long. Backed by a
seven piece band, his performance encompasses comedy and music within a
variety of vocal impersonations: politicians, singers, and legendary
actors, many whom are no longer with us today, and occasionally adding a
prop to enhance his portrayal.
One of the show’s highlights is the Celebrity
Quiz game show segment that has Little acting as host and as an array of
celebrity contestants such as Jimmy Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau,
Paul Lynde, Dr. Phil, Andy Rooney and Jack Nicholson. He also does a
singing medley from past and current singing stars including Johnny
Cash, Kenny Rogers, Perry Como, Willie Nelson, Michael Crawford (as the
Phantom of the Opera), Elvis, Anthony Newley among others.
These days, while many of his younger, talented
colleagues who have made it big as Las Vegas headliners spew out
impressions one after another in rapid fire mode, Little is from the old
school, employing a tried and true technique of skillfully pacing the
impressions that he’s honed for decades. It’s worked for him all these
years, so to paraphrase the classic expression, “if it ain’t broke, why
fix it?”
Rich Little as Willie Nelson
Rich Little as Jimmy Carter
Rich Little as Johnny Carson
Rich Little as George Burns
Rich Little as Jack Nicholson
Rich Little as Jack Benny
Rich Little as Jimmy Durante
Everyone will have their favorite copycat voices. For
me, his impersonations of comedy legends, Jack Benny, George Burns and
Johnny Carson (especially as his famous Tonight Show character, Carnac,
the Magnificent) complete with their signature facial expressions and
gestures, cannot be beat. Okay, they are oldies, but the fact is, they
are still goodies older audiences love and appreciate for nostalgic
value.
There is no doubt Rich Little is a master of what he does. My only
advice for him would be to eliminate those “newer” vocal impressions
that he has added to his repertoire until they are on par with those he
has perfected. However, his take on Presidential hopeful Senator Fred
Thompson is a winner.
Little may be his surname, but Rich, the man of over 200 celebrity
voices is “hugely” talented. Catch his show at the Golden Nugget and
experience an entertaining evening of laughter and good, clean fun.
Trust me, you’ll be impressed. Show times are 7 p.m., Thursdays through
Sundays. Tickets start at $39 plus applicable taxes and fees.
Jennie
Garth Launches Week Long Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration by Lighting the
Eiffel Tower Red
At 12 midnight on the morning of Thursday, November 15th, former 90210
actress Jennie Garth, a current contestant on ABC's hit show "Dancing
with the Stars", and her dancing partner, Derek Hough, made their way
down the Las Vegas Strip in a European style horse drawn carriage before
arriving at Paris to deliver the cask of Beaujolais Nouveau to the base
of the Eiffel Tower. She then flipped the switch lighting Paris Las
Vegas' 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower “red”, launching a week of
Beaujolais Nouveau festivities celebrating the release of the 2007 wine.
Immediately following the kick-off, award-winning chef Jean Joho and
world renowned Chef Guy Savoy led invited guests in a festive ceremonial
tasting at Mon Ami Gabi, the resort's sidewalk café.
Jennie Garth Launches Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration
VOX Wine
Lounge Opens in Henderson
Although VOX Wine Lounge opened a month ago, on Thursday night, November
15th, the hottest new nightlife destination in the Seven Hills/Anthem
area of Henderson held a special cocktail party for the media and other
VIPs to celebrate its debut.
The restaurant, bar and wine lounge is unlike any
other venue to be found in the area. The environment alone should make
it one of the most desirable nightlife destinations. Customers are
offered a range of amenities within the 8,800 square foot of space that
includes a separate sophisticated bar area, a large main dining room
with a small stage for live entertainment, two intimate dining rooms for
parties of up to twelve who want more privacy for their special
occasion, a separate elegant, living room area furnished with several
plush sofas, chaise lounges that seat two, comfy chairs, plus a large
outdoor patio with signature water and fire features and warming
fireplaces. In fact working, lit fireplaces are situated throughout the
indoor venue, as well.
As far as its menu, VOX serves world class cuisine
tapas style, American twists on small portions from the thirty seven
items in its diverse selections of fish and meat appetizers from all
over the world. But, larger entrees are also available. As a WINE
lounge, VOX features an extensive 280 bottle wine library including a
vast number available by the glass. Among the several appetizers being
offered to guests throughout the night were oysters on the half shell,
Dungeness crab cakes, Maine day-boat scallops, Moroccan grilled lamb
chops, coffee crusted rib eye, and my favorites Spicy Thai coconut soup
made with sweet potato, kaffir lime and rock shrimp, and fabulous mini
slices of vegetarian pizzas. Desserts consisted of bananas foster and
other rich and yummy delicacies to die for.
VOX is the brainchild of the EDGE Hospitality Group
(Eating, Drinking, Gaming and Entertainment), with the aim to
revolutionize the way Las Vegas area residents dine and relax. The EDGE
Group partners all have years of experience in the event programming and
food and beverage industries, and have focused their wealth of
experience, knowledge and talents to create VOX. From my experience in
visiting the venue, I truly believe they have succeeded in their goal.
VOX is at 2630 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. For more
information, please call 702-407-7780 or visit
www.VoxWineLounge.com .
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge at the Mirage was recently chosen as the
2007 HOSPY winner for Best Nightclub at the fourth annual Hospitality
Awards for Excellence in the Hospitality Industry, which was held Nov.
3, in the Latour Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. The annual awards are
presented by NEWH Las Vegas, a chapter of the Network of Executive Women
in Hospitality—a national, non-profit organization. REVOLUTION beat out
a wide range of competitors, including The Shadow Bar London at the
Casino at the Empire, United Kingdom; Chill Ultra Lounge, Biloxi, MS;
the new 4949 Lounge at Santa Fe Station, Las Vegas; and the Empire
Ballroom, Las Vegas.
On Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. a FREE concert by Sierra Winds
featuring flutist Jennifer Grim and the music by Debussy, Poulenc,
Vivaldi and Rossini, will take place at Doc Rando Recital Hall on the
UNLV Campus. Sierra Winds are an ensemble-in-residence at UNLV. They
have released five recordings of American music for winds that have
received great critical acclaim and are frequently played on Public
Radio. The ensemble has commissioned, premiered and recorded music from
some of America’s finest composers.
On the same evening of November 27, Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim
Bronfman, widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists
performing today will appear in concert at The UNLV Performing Arts
Center, as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series, Tickets to Yefim
Bronfman are $35, $50, and $80 and can be purchased at the Performing
Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting
www.pac.unlv.edu . Student rush
tickets are $13 each and available one hour prior to each event, based
on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff
discounts also are available. A $1 facilities fee, in addition to the
ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets.
Information about all of the season’s performances can be found on the
Performing Arts Center website, located at
www.pac.unlv.edu .
Beginning November 23 through December 31 (New Years Eve) visitors to
Mystic Falls Indoor Park at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino will be treated
to a magical journey through the sights and sounds of the holiday season
when the park is transformed into a winter wonderland of festive scenes,
tree-lined walkways covered in lights and holiday decorations
throughout. At the center of this celebration is the Winter Wonderland
Spectacular, highlighted by special lighting, a dazzling water ballet,
lasers, other special effects and a finale complete with glistening,
gently falling snow. The Mystic Falls Winter Wonderland Spectacular is
free and open to the public. Daily shows are at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10
p.m. (but times are subject to change). Mystic Falls Park will feature
the original Sunset Stampede show daily at 2 p.m.
Mystic Falls at Sam's Town
Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. UNLV CHOIRS AND
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT Handel’s “MESSIAH inside Artemus W. Ham
Concert Hall. Tickets for the “Holiday Classics” concert may be
purchased at the UNLV Performing Arts Center box office, or by calling
895-ARTS. Ticket prices are
$10 general admission; $8 military & seniors;
$5 UNLV faculty/staff; and free admission for all students with valid
ID.
On Wednesday, December 5 The Fremont Street Experience is going country
for the official kickoff party for the National Finals Rodeo. The 21st
Annual Downtown Hoedown which starts at 6 p.m. features free live
concerts with an entertainment lineup that includes top country music
talents Hal Ketchum, Sawyer Brown and Ray Scott joined by Las Vegas’ own
rising star, Tony Marques and his band. The performance schedule is as
follows: Ray Scott, 6-8 pm, 1st Street Stage; Hal Ketchum, 9-11 pm, 1st
Street Stage; Tony Marques Band, 6-8 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Sawyer Brown,
9-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage. All concerts are free and open to the public
and parking is available at the Fremont Street Experience parking garage
located on the corner of Carson and 4th Streets.
From December 6-15 Billy Bob’s Texas, AKA the world largest honky tonk,
is bringing National Finals Tonight, the ultimate rodeo after party to
the Gold Coast showroom will special guests from the rodeo and country
world lined up every night. This event is free and open to the public.
Starting at 9 p.m. the Gold Coast Showroom will host live bands straight
from “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk.” At 11 p.m. National Finals
Tonight begins with eight-time World Champion and Hall of Fame Cowboy
Don Gay along with TV Host Dan Miller hosting the nightly National
Finals Tonight, a wrap-up of each day’s rodeo event including interviews
with riders and a variety of rodeo celebrities.
Station Casinos and KWNR will host the Fourth Annual Toys for Tickets
All-Star Jam, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. inside Ovation at Green Valley Ranch
Resort, Spa and Casino. Toys for Tickets helps raise toys for the
Children’s Advocacy Alliance (taking action to improve the lives and
protect the children who are victims of abuse and neglect) while
treating fans to a surprise concert from some of country music’s top
headliners. From Nov. 3 through Dec.7, fans can visit any Star Nursery
in Las Vegas and donate a new, unopened toy ($10 or greater in value)
for a free ticket. For a list of Star Nursery locations, please visit
www.starnursery.com .
Larry the Cable Guy will be performing his unique brand of comedy at the
Orleans Arena on December 15, 2007 at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the
Orleans Arena Box Office and range in price from $49.75 to $79.75 and
include tax and facility fee.
Kanye West will perform live on New Year’s Eve inside the Pearl Concert
Theater at the Palms. The evening with Mr. West will begin at 10:45 p.m.
Tickets for Kanye West are now on sale at $153.00 and $203.00, plus any
additional service fees. A limited number of VIP tickets are also
available.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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